Community Matters
Vicki Johnson
Every writer finds their way along a path unique to them. When I began putting words to paper ten years ago, I was all alone with an inkling of an idea. I had never studied creative writing, but I had been a voracious reader growing up. Much later, I was a single lesbian mom and I read daily to my young child. I knew nothing about character arcs or word count or the inciting incident, much less about critique groups or agent queries or what it meant to be “on sub.” My main characters reflected my experiences growing up as a young queer person, and I didn’t know enough about children’s literature to even worry about whether that would matter. Frankly, even if I did know, I wouldn’t have cared. I had stories I wanted to tell.
Over time, I was introduced to the bigger world of writing for children, and began to look for my own community. Community is important, always. But for people who spend most of their time alone staring at a computer screen with the occasional cat flopping across the keyboard, community is a lifeline. For those first few years, conferences and workshops were my only step stones across a wide, deep river. Along the way, I have found a few other places to take a breather: a log here, a sand bank there. Everyone’s path will have different challenges and support systems, but I will share a few of mine in the hopes that it might help other new writers.
As I was drafting this, and as if by magic (or perhaps because I’ve made her part of my online community?) I came across a short video by award-winning, NYT-bestselling author Meg Medina on the very topic: community. Noting that the world generally characterizes the arts as somewhat frivolous, Medina recognizes it can be difficult to stay courageous when society sees our work in this light. She goes on to say it’s essential to “surround yourself with people who understand what it is to live a life very closely tied with imagination and with creation” and who are “connected still to joy and fun and invention.” This can be especially true for marginalized writers. LGBTQ+ writers long to see authors like themselves who are successful, but at the same time, we see those same authors’ works put on challenged and banned lists. We see and experience the struggle firsthand when we look for our own lives in books and on shelves. The community of writers and illustrators for children and young adults can be a powerful support system for LGBTQ+ creators, if you take time to look around and reach out.
So, this is where I offer ideas, but I couldn’t possibly name them all. Take this list as a jumping off point to research your own places of community. There are organizations such as We Need Diverse Books, Lambda Literary, GLAAD and others who specifically work to change the landscape of possibilities for LGBTQ+ creators through mentorships and other opportunities. There are also broader organizations such as the Society of Children’s Book Authors & Illustrators (SCBWI) who offer craft workshops and kinship, as well as mentorships and awards, on a regional and national basis. Engaging online communities exist in all of the social media spaces, offering pitch contests and mentorship opportunities, such as #PBChat (shout out to this one for helping me along my path!), #DVPit and many more. There are excellent podcasts on craft and on the publishing industry. You can find a few trusted writer friends to create a critique group. There are MFA programs with diverse and knowledgeable advisors and diversity and inclusion programs to support their students. There are also critical organizations who support teachers and librarians by getting inclusive books on their shelves, like Pride and Less Prejudice for K-3 classrooms, and Hope in a Box for middle schools and high schools. These are just a few examples!
As important as anything in this quest for a writing community is to read, read, read. Find lists such as the well-curated ones created by Mombian and LGBTQReads. Pore over them for new authors you have never read. Empower yourself to get to know creators cross-culturally, and diversify your own bookshelf. Follow those authors and industry folks who are so giving of their time online to teach and support others. Ask for those authors’ and illustrators’ books in your local independent bookstores and community libraries. While you are there, get to know your local booksellers and librarians. They are incredible resources, mentors, and advocates. And remember, community is support for you, yes, but it is also being a part of something bigger than yourself. Find your own way to contribute and you will grow from that. Your own idea of community will likely change throughout your career. Just remember: keep learning, keep reaching out, and as my friend, the amazing editor Emma Dryden says, keep going!
Vicki Johnson (she/her) is the author of the forthcoming picture book Molly’s Tuxedo, illustrated by Gillian Reid (little bee books, 2023). A former band nerd, White House staffer, and nonprofit farm educator, Vicki now lives and writes in an historic log cabin in West Virginia, with her daughter and five rescue animals. She is a first-gen graduate of Smith College and Emory Law School, and a student at VCFA, pursuing her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She is currently working on her middle grade novel, and texting cat photos to her teenager in the next room. Vicki was selected for the 2020 PB Chat picture book mentorship with Christian Trimmer, author and VP, MTV Books, and was a 2020 finalist for the We Need Diverse Books middle grade mentorship program. She was a recipient of an NEA individual artist grant through the WV Department of Arts, Culture & History, and was nominated for SCBWI’s Sue Alexander Award. Read more at www.vickijohnsonwrites.com.
